concerning their dread visitors, there lived in Puna a young and handsome chief named Vari. He had large possessions, great fertile fields of taro and fish-ponds on the sea-shore; generous was he and liberal, and the people praised him greatly. The famous festival of the god Lono came in its monthly course, and the chief announced a contest with the holua, a sort of sled, of about eight inches wide, mounted on light and polished runners. The sled is taken to the top of a steep slope, and the rider throws himself face downward upon the narrow plank, allowing it to dash down the hill while he guides its swift and dangerous course.
The day was beautiful, with a light breeze of the trade wind bending the palms and blowing up the foam from the waves breaking on the reef. The happy people assembled to witness the races, and while they laughed and talked beneath the trees, they ate bananas and coconuts and frolicked with their children to the sound of drums and rattling musical instruments. The races commenced. By far the most graceful and athletic of the contestants were the chief Vari and his bosom-friend Ahua. They had often before emulated the skill of each other, but on this occasion after the first attempt and on again mounting the hill with
